Obituary of Margaret Ann Arbanas

With sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Margaret Ann (Peggy) Bond Arbanas on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Peggy was born on March 15, 1942 in Rochelle, IL to Ruth (Taborn) and Dr. Clinton Spencer Bond. She is survived by her husband, Larry Arbanas of DeWitt, her cherished son Michael, daughter-in-law Caty Lamadrid, grandchildren, Liliana and Bernie, sister-in-law Shirin Bond, and niece, Vivian Bond.

An ideal and carefree childhood in Decatur, IL nurtured her free spirit. Playing “Roy Rogers” with her little brother, Clinton Spencer (Buddy) Bond III, Peggy left him tied up in the garage when the neighbor
distracted her by inviting her over for some chocolate cake. As the daughter of a respected medical doctor, she was expected to uphold certain values of the times: she wasn’t allowed to wear pants into
town, and she was sent away to an all-girls boarding school for some time when she developed an interest in boys. However, the gregarious Peggy missed her friends at Douglas MacArther H.S. so much,
she spent most evenings writing letters home to them, and her father soon allowed her to return to public school. As adults, she and those friends delighted in an annual “Weekend in Chicago!” trip for
decades.

After graduating with an undergraduate degree in Science, English, and Social Studies from Indiana University, she embarked on adventure, working as a nanny in France, teaching English in Turkey and
then in Belize. In the U.S., she had a brief stint as a photographer in the San Francisco Bay area during the anti-war protests of the 1960s. With a Masters of Education in Counseling from the University of
Illinois, Champaign, Peggy put her international cultural knowledge to work, first at Illinois State University, Normal, coordinating international student exchange programs, and then as an international
student advisor in the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) at Michigan State University, the position from which she retired in 2005. Befriending countless people from all over the world, Peggy was instrumental in helping so many adjust to a comfortable and productive life in the United States.

Peggy was set up on a blind date with Larry soon after her arrival in Lansing. Larry was charmed by her sweet, quirky, and affable demeanor and mentioned to a friend, soon after meeting her, “I could marry that lady”. They held their wedding at the MSU chapel. Involved in so many work and community activities, she leaves dear friends who will remember Peggy’s cheerful and positive energy. With enthusiasm, she participated in the MSU Community Volunteers for International Programs (CVIP), MSU Global Festival, the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program, The Mid-Michigan Red Cross International Service Committee, the DeWitt City Charter Commission, DeWitt Public School Foundation, Friends of the Looking Glass River Association, the MSU Community Club, and Absolute Music, just to mention a few. She was a lifelong student of Spanish language and so enjoyed opportunities to visit Mexico.

The family is immensely grateful to Karen McClure, Corso Care Hospice, and countless other caregivers who have provided comfort and support through these past several years, both to Peggy and to Larry. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the MSU CVIP Lillian Kumata Scholarship Fund (cvip.isp.msu.edu/about/make-gift). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the DeWitt Banquet Center, 1120 Commerce Park Dr., DeWitt, MI 48820.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.